High Wall Heat Pumps Module 3 Design & Specify€¦ · 2. A high standard of advice, specifying and installation of Heat Pumps. To achieve (2) not only do we need a valid and robust

Rinnai Heat Pumps: Design and Specify

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Rinnai Best Practice Guide

High Wall Heat Pumps

Module 3 – Design & Specify


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Acknowledgement: Rinnai NZ acknowledges the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) for permission to reproduce content from its publication: “Good Practice Guide Heat Pump Installation”. The granting of permission to reproduce material provided by EECA in no way constitutes an endorsement of Rinnai Heat Pumps by EECA

Rinnai Learning

©Copyright Rinnai New Zealand Document title: Rinnai Heat Pumps: Module 3 - Design & Specify Issue date: 11 November 2020 Version Date: n/a Date printed: 11/11/2020 3:42 PM


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Best practice guide to Rinnai High Wall Heat Pump Design & Specify

Introduction _______________________________________________________________ 4

Selecting a Rinnai Heat Pump system __________________________________________ 6

Steps for Selecting a Rinnai Heat Pump system _____________________________________ 6

The importance of correct heat pump sizing ________________________________________ 6

Step 1: Determine requirements ___________________________________________________ 7

Step 2: Calculate heat load requirement ____________________________________________ 11

Step 3: Determine external design temperature _____________________________________ 12

Step 4: Select a system to meet requirements _______________________________________ 14

Step 5: Locate the units _________________________________________________________ 18

Appendix A: Consumer FAQ’s ________________________________________________ 24

Self-Check #1: Design & Specify ______________________________________________ 34

Module assessment ________________________________________________________ 38

Your next module __________________________________________________________ 38

Feedback _________________________________________________________________ 38


Page 4 of 38

Introduction

This module provides an overview of Heat Pumps, in particular High Wall Split

Systems and details of the Rinnai models.

Who should complete this module?

All staff of Rinnai Heat Pump Dealers or those companies wishing to be

accredited, who:

• Sell

• Design & specify

• Install

Heat Pump Accreditation programme.

This theory module supports the accreditation framework for a Salesperson,

Specifier or installer.

*depending on need to handle refrigerant

Reference material:

You will need access to:

• Q Series Brochure

• Q Series Installation Manual:

• Q Series Operation Manual

• Q Series WiFi Operation Manual

These can be viewed or downloaded from here

Module 1:

The Rinnai Brand

Module 2:

Introduction to Heat Pumps

Module 3:

Design & Specifying

(this module)

Module 5:5A

Installation & Handover(Knowledge)

5B

Installation video

Module 4:

Sales Skills

Module 6:

Installation & Handover(1-day skills course)

Module 7:

Approved Fillers Compliance Certificate

(1-day skills course)

https://rinnai.co.nz/Product/328/q-series-high-wall-heat-pumps#technical


Page 5 of 38

Assessment

Creating great value for the customer is derived from two key parts:

1. Excellent product

2. A high standard of advice, specifying and installation of Heat Pumps.

To achieve (2) not only do we need a valid and robust accreditation process, we

(Rinnai) needs to know that you know – The specialist. Assessment is a key part

to ensuring that Rinnai and those we partner with, deliver great customer

experiences.

You will engage in assessment at two levels:

1. Self-checks

These are completed at the end of subjects and are for you to check that

you have understood the important information. The results, even if

completed on-line, are not recorded and we will never know if you finish

the self-checks!

2. Final assessment

At the end of each module you will need to complete the assessment on-

line inside our TradeSmart Learning portal. These results are tracked and

form part of the accreditation process.

The final assessment is easy! Why? Its simple, the final assessment

questions are taken from the specific things covered in the self-checks.

Meaning that if you completed all the self-checks correctly that you should

fly through the final assessment. Easy As!

Important

This module has one self-check on page 34 and one final assessment.


Page 6 of 38

Selecting a Rinnai Heat Pump system

This module describes the steps for selecting a Rinnai Heat Pump system that will

perform as efficiently as possible to meet the customer’s needs.

There are five steps which are detailed below:

1. Determine requirements

2. Calculate heat load

3. Determine external design temperature

4. Select a system to meet requirements

5. Locate the units

Steps for Selecting a Rinnai Heat Pump system

For a well-designed heat pump follow the five steps shown in the table below. Each

step is described in detail on pages 7 – 23.

Step Action

1 Determine requirements

• for heating/cooling

• for the building

• for the environment (e.g. protection for system components in

coastal/geothermal regions)

• for the type of unit suited to the room

2 Determine heating capacity (kW) requirement and external design temperature

3 Select the system/model to suit the design requirements and occupant preferences

4 Select the locations of the indoor and outdoor units

5 Locate the units.

The importance of correct heat pump sizing

Correct heat pump sizing is critical to efficiency and performance. Select a unit that

can provide the required heating capacity at the external design temperature relevant

for the location of the installation.

If the heat pump capacity is too low, the system will overspeed at lower efficiency and

use more energy than necessary (increasing running costs). Additionally, it will likely

need to defrost more frequently during heating operation. It may not be able to

provide sufficient heating/cooling to achieve the indoor temperatures required for

occupant comfort (see the table on the next page).

The extra running costs of an undersized heat pump often outweigh the additional

cost of installing a unit that is correctly sized.

Selecting a correctly sized heat pump provides a safety margin to ensure that heating

/ cooling requirements will be met. It may also result in improved energy efficiency.

However, oversizing should be avoided.


Page 7 of 38

Where the space being heated is large, installing two smaller units or a multi-split

system may give better heat distribution within the space and better control than a

large-capacity single unit.

Step 1: Determine requirements

As a first step, gather the information that you will need to determine what the most

appropriate heat pump selection is for the target application. Use the checklists below

to determine requirements for the system.

Checklist of heating/cooling requirements

• What is required? For example, is it mainly heating or cooling?

• What is the region and location of the building?

• Are there specific local conditions, such as microclimates within the climatic

zones, which may influence selection?

• What are the seasonal high and low ambient temperatures?

• What type of building is the system for? For example, old, new, insulated.

• Is it for a typical single room or a large or open plan room/hallway (where

more than one unit may be required)?

• What is the owner preference for the type of indoor unit? A high wall-mounted

or ceiling-mounted unit can provide more effective cooling and allows

occupants more flexibility with arranging furniture in the room.

• Will the owner be using the Rinnai Smartphone App?

If heat pump is: Performance Effects

Undersized Operation may be in defrost mode too often

• System is not delivering heat.

• System may be blowing out cold air.

Operation may be at

full capacity too often.

• Increased running costs.

• Reduced efficiency.

• Undue wear and tear, premature failure of equipment

Oversized significantly

Increased start-up power use. • Increased running costs.

• Reduced efficiency.

Short cycling because output

exceeds demand.

• Too much air movement

(draught) even at low fan speed.

• Increased noise.

• Undue wear and tear.

Runs at low load too often. • Reduced efficiency.

• Room temperature overshoot

Effects of incorrectly sized systems


Page 8 of 38

Environmental requirements

• Building orientation

• Window orientation and solar gain, particularly in summer

• Areas of walls, ceilings, windows and floors

• Building envelope; for example, air infiltration/heat loss around doors/windows

• Insulation levels of walls, ceilings and floors

• Single/double glazing.

Protection from the environment

Select a unit that is suitable for the environment it is being installed in.

Coastal:

Coastal regions require protection against corrosion for both the outdoor

cabinet and the coils.

The sea spray zone, including all offshore islands and the area within 500 m

of the coastline, is defined as zone D in NZS 3604:2011” Rinnai recommends

that all units installed in the salt spray zone are coated with a suitable

protective coating to protect against corrosion of metal parts. One such

proprietary coating is Nyalic, this can be purchased through your local

refrigeration wholesaler or the Nyalic distributor directly.

Geothermal

Geothermal environments can be harsh on the outdoor unit particularly due to

corrosion of the copper brazed joints. This can result in loss of refrigerant and

high repair bills. Damage due to sulphur or other geothermal contaminants

will not be covered by warranty. Prior to installation, outdoor units can be

coated by a suitably experienced Air Conditioning technician trained in the

protection of heat exchangers from sulphuric corrosion. There are two

products being used in the market:

• CRC Seal Coat

• White silicone plumbing sealant (Multiple brands). Correct

protection involves stripping the casings off the indoor and outdoor

unit and coating 100% of the exposed Copper tubing

• Blugold

The foregoing is even more important to take care with, considering

Manufacturers that supply into NZ do not provide a warranty on corrosion of

the product caused by aggressive environments.

More detailed information on Corrosion Zones is available here.

http://www.nyalic.co.nz/

https://www.crc.co.nz/Red-Urethane-Seal-Coat/6895-fb6715c5-0d17-4e67-b53a-94b3956e366c/

http://rinnaitraining.co.nz/Build124-38-Corrosion-Zones.pdf


Page 9 of 38

Type of unit suited to room

This section covers heat pump systems by room. It is important to note that Rinnai

are currently only selling the single High Wall and ducted systems.

Consider the options for airflow patterns in relation to room or space layout. Both

types of unit can be used for heating or cooling. Different types may suit different

people based on their own personal choice and wall space.

High wall-mounted units blow hot or cool air to mix

with room air before dropping to the level of

occupants eg when in cooling mode.

Floor console units are primarily designed for heating as

warm air rises and cold air falls. Consider the location of

objects such as furniture that may interfere with airflow

and cause short circuiting of the air back to the unit,

reducing efficiency and performance.

Ceiling-mounted units blow air down or out from the unit to circulate the warmed air

within the room.

Floor-mounted unit – horizontal and vertical air discharge (heating)


Page 10 of 38

.

Summary:

• There are 5 steps to selecting a heat pump system:

o Determine the requirements

o Calculate the heat load

o Determine external design temperature

o Select a system to meet requirements

o Locate the units

• Correct sizing is vital

• Under or oversizing causes issues for the homeowner including extra

running costs, unnecessary wear on the unit and in some cases more

frequent defrosting cycles

• There are ways of protecting the Outdoor Unit from salt spray, and both

units from geothermal environments

• Rinnai offers High Wall Split and ducted systems.


Page 11 of 38

Step 2: Calculate heat load requirement

Using the information from Step 1, you can now calculate the required heating

capacity for the heat pump.

For rental homes, the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards)

Regulations 2019 include minimum requirements for heaters in the main living room.

From 1 July 2019, a heat pump newly installed in the main living room of a rental

home should at least have the heating capacity required by these regulations.

To determine the minimum heating capacity required by the Residential Tenancies

(Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 you can either:

• use the heating assessment tool available on the Tenancy Services website

• do a manual calculation in accordance with Schedule 2 of the Residential

Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019.

Use these heater sizing methods for heat pumps installed in the living room of any

home, not just rental homes. This will ensure the heat pump can meet the

requirements if the home was to become a rental home.

These heater sizing methods are also suitable for rooms other than the main living

room, for example a secondary living room or a bedroom.

Heating assessment tool on Tenancy Services website

Tenancy Services is part of the Ministry of Business, Information and Employment

(MBIE). Its website provides information to residential landlords and tenants and

includes an online heating assessment tool.

The online heating assessment tool aims to help landlords determine what type and

capacity heater rental homes require in the main living room to comply with the

Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019.

Whilst these regulations only apply to rental homes, the heating assessment tool is

suitable for determining the required heating capacity for any room in both rental

and owner-occupied homes in New Zealand.

The Tenancy Services heating assessment tool is available on:

www.tenancy.govt.nz/heating-tool

Manual calculation of required heating capacity

You can also calculate the required heating capacity manually. For details, refer to

Schedule 2 of the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations

2019.

This calculation method is suitable for determining the required heating capacity for

any room in both rental and owner-occupied homes in New Zealand.

The Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 are

available on: www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2019/0088/latest/whole.html

http://www.tenancy.govt.nz/heating-tool

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2019/0088/latest/whole.html


Page 12 of 38

Step 3: Determine external design temperature

Because the heating capacity of a heat pump reduces with outdoor temperature, a

heat pump must be selected that can provide the required heating capacity at the

lowest likely winter outdoor temperature relevant to the local climate where the heat

pump is being installed. The heat pump’s capacity at that temperature will likely be

different to the rated heating output capacity.

The table on the next page lists external design temperatures for all territorial

authority (local council) areas of New Zealand, as provided in Schedule 2 of the

Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019.


Page 13 of 38

External design temperatures by territorial authority (local council) areas


Page 14 of 38

Step 4: Select a system to meet requirements

You should now have all the information needed to select the right Rinnai Heat Pump

system for the home’s needs. Things to keep in mind:

• Consider how the heat pump might be protected from some environments (i.e.

sea spray, sulphur from geothermal activity)

• Correct sizing of the Heat Pump to suit the heat loads and expected outdoor

temperatures

• Will the installation be a rental property in the future or will it be owned?

Selection tables

Rinnai provides High Wall Selection Charts to aid as a guide for selecting the

right size heat pumps in different situations including rental and owner-

occupied properties.

There are two Heat Pump Selection Tables, the first is for Owner occupied

properties and the second for Rental properties. on pages 15 & 16.

Rental properties

The rental properties selection guide is based on the Tenancy Website

heating tool https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/heating-tool/. It has been simplified

for 2.4 m stud housing configurations and homes that are either built before

31st Dec 2008 or afterward. It is NOT intended to be a replacement for the

tool, but rather a quick guide to allow a preliminary selection for planning

purposes.

Use tables to check

Rinnai recommendations that before the final selection is made, a quick check

is done by the installer for both rental and owner-occupied properties. This is

to ensure the selection is fit for purpose.

Rinnai sizing charts are the starting point.

There are many tools and methodologies to sizing a heat pump. The starting

point will be the Rinnai sizing charts on pages 15 & 16. Additional

consideration needs to be made for factors such as:

• Size of areas adjoining on to the space being heated / cooled

• Glass area

• R values of walls, ceilings and floors

• Age of building

• High ceilings.

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/heating-tool/


Page 15 of 38

Zone A Zone B Zone A Zone B

Rest of New

Zealand

Auckland and

Northland

Rest of New

Zealand

Auckland and

Northland

2.5kW 10 2.5kW 2.5kW 10 2.5kW

2.5kW 12 2.5kW 2.5kW 12 2.5kW

2.5kW 14 2.5kW 2.5kW 14 2.5kW

3.5kW 16 2.5kW 2.5kW 16 2.5kW

3.5kW 18 2.5kW 2.5kW 18 2.5kW

3.5kW 20 3.5kW 2.5kW 20 2.5kW

5.2kW 22 3.5kW 2.5kW 22 2.5kW

5.2kW 24 3.5kW 3.5kW 24 2.5kW

5.2kW 26 5.2kW 3.5kW 26 2.5kW

5.2kW 28 5.2kW 3.5kW 28 3.5kW

5.2kW 30 5.2kW 3.5kW 30 3.5kW

5.2kW 32 5.2kW 3.5kW 32 3.5kW

7.0kW 34 5.2kW 5.2kW 34 3.5kW

7.0kW 36 5.2kW 5.2kW 36 3.5kW

7.0kW 38 5.2kW 5.2kW 38 3.5kW

7.0kW 40 7.0kW 5.2kW 40 5.2kW

7.0kW 42 7.0kW 5.2kW 42 5.2kW

8.4kW 44 7.0kW 5.2kW 44 5.2kW

8.4kW 46 7.0kW 5.2kW 46 5.2kW

8.4kW 48 7.0kW 5.2kW 48 5.2kW

8.4kW 50 7.0kW 7.0kW 50 5.2kW

8.4kW 52 8.4kW 7.0kW 52 5.2kW

54 8.4kW 7.0kW 54 5.2kW

56 8.4kW 7.0kW 56 5.2kW

58 8.4kW 7.0kW 58 7.0kW

60 8.4kW 7.0kW 60 7.0kW

62 8.4kW 7.0kW 62 7.0kW

7.0kW 64 7.0kW

7.0kW 66 7.0kW

8.4kW 68 7.0kW

8.4kW 70 7.0kW

8.4kW 72 7.0kW

8.4kW 74 7.0kW

8.4kW 76 7.0kW

8.4kW 78 8.4kW

80 8.4kW

82 8.4kW

84 8.4kW

86 8.4kW

88 8.4kW

90 8.4kW

92 8.4kW

Rinnai Heat Pump Selection Guide - RENTALS (for owner-occupiers see Owners selection guide)

New BuildingsOlder Buildings

Rinnai High Wall nominal heating kW rating Rinnai High Wall nominal heating kW rating

(Homes constructed before 2009) (Homes constructed after 2009 H1)

Floor Area SQUARE

METRES

(2.4m stud height)

Floor Area SQUARE

METRES

(2.4m stud height)


Page 16 of 38

Zone A Zone B Zone A Zone B

Rest of New

Zealand

Auckland and

Northland

Rest of New

Zealand

Auckland and

Northland

2.5kW 10 2.5kW 2.5kW 10 2.5kW

2.5kW 12 2.5kW 2.5kW 12 2.5kW

2.5kW 14 2.5kW 2.5kW 14 2.5kW

2.5kW 16 2.5kW 2.5kW 16 2.5kW

2.5kW 18 2.5kW 2.5kW 18 2.5kW

2.5kW 20 2.5kW 2.5kW 20 2.5kW

3.5kW 22 2.5kW 2.5kW 22 2.5kW

3.5kW 24 2.5kW 2.5kW 24 2.5kW

3.5kW 26 2.5kW 2.5kW 26 2.5kW

3.5kW 28 3.5kW 2.5kW 28 2.5kW

5.2kW 30 3.5kW 3.5kW 30 2.5kW

5.2kW 32 3.5kW 3.5kW 32 2.5kW

5.2kW 34 3.5kW 3.5kW 34 2.5kW

5.2kW 36 3.5kW 3.5kW 36 3.5kW

5.2kW 38 5.2kW 3.5kW 38 3.5kW

5.2kW 40 5.2kW 3.5kW 40 3.5kW

5.2kW 42 5.2kW 5.2kW 42 3.5kW

7.0kW 44 5.2kW 5.2kW 44 3.5kW

7.0kW 46 5.2kW 5.2kW 46 3.5kW

7.0kW 48 5.2kW 5.2kW 48 3.5kW

7.0kW 50 5.2kW 5.2kW 50 5.2kW

7.0kW 52 5.2kW 5.2kW 52 5.2kW

7.0kW 54 5.2kW 5.2kW 54 5.2kW

7.0kW 56 7.0kW 5.2kW 56 5.2kW

7.0kW 58 7.0kW 5.2kW 58 5.2kW

8.4kW 60 7.0kW 5.2kW 60 5.2kW

8.4kW 62 7.0kW 7.0kW 62 5.2kW

8.4kW 64 7.0kW 7.0kW 64 5.2kW

8.4kW 66 7.0kW 7.0kW 66 5.2kW

8.4kW 68 7.0kW 7.0kW 68 5.2kW

70 7.0kW 7.0kW 70 5.2kW

72 7.0kW 7.0kW 72 5.2kW

74 8.4kW 7.0kW 74 5.2kW

76 8.4kW 7.0kW 76 7.0kW

78 8.4kW 7.0kW 78 7.0kW

80 8.4kW 7.0kW 80 7.0kW

82 8.4kW 7.0kW 82 7.0kW

84 8.4kW 8.4kW 84 7.0kW

86 8.4kW 8.4kW 86 7.0kW

88 8.4kW 8.4kW 88 7.0kW

8.4kW 90 7.0kW

8.4kW 92 7.0kW

8.4kW 94 7.0kW

8.4kW 96 7.0kW

8.4kW 98 7.0kW

100 8.4kW

102 8.4kW

104 8.4kW

106 8.4kW

108 8.4kW

110 8.4kW

112 8.4kW

114 8.4kW

116 8.4kW

118 8.4kW

Rinnai High Wall nominal heating kW rating Rinnai High Wall nominal heating kW rating

Rinnai Heat Pump Selection Guide - OWNER (for rental properies see Rentals selection guide)

Older Buildings New Buildings(Homes constructed before 2009) (Homes constructed after 2009 H1)

Floor Area SQUARE

METRES

(2.4m stud height)

Floor Area SQUARE

METRES

(2.4m stud height)


Page 17 of 38

Example 1:

• Owner-occupied property, Location: Wellington (Zone A-cold) Rest of NZ

• 1940's dwelling with ceiling and wall insulation installed (single glazed)

• Required to heat a 50 m2 lounge/ dining room

• Select from "Owners" Selection Guide a

• The recommendation is a heat pump with a minimum 7 kW capacity: 7.0 kW

Rinnai Heat Pump

Example 2:

• Rental Property, Location: Pukekohe (Zone B, Auckland)

• 2 brm unit built in 2010 & double glazed.

• Required to heat a 30 m2 living area/ kitchen

• Select from "Rental" Selection Guide

• The recommendation is: 3.5 kW Rinnai Heat Pump


Page 18 of 38

Step 5: Locate the units

Correct location of both outdoor and indoor units is essential for optimum

performance. Many problems with poorly performing heat pumps are due to poor

location of units.

Outdoor units

Locate outdoor units: (ODU)

• to allow unimpeded air flow around the unit (to avoid the creation of

recirculation / short cycling of air, that reduces heat pump performance

and efficiency)

• in accordance with Rinnai Installation instructions for distances to

obstructions as follows.

o 100 mm to the wall

o 1000 mm between air outlet

and the nearest wall

o 600 mm above the unit

o 300 mm to other faces

• In addition to the installation instructions, it is recommended to mount the

unit on purpose built mounting rails. This is to secure the unit against

movement and to allow room for the condensate drain fitting to be

installed and maintained easily. The gap under the ODU must be at least

80 mm

• If the unit cannot be mounted securely on a flat surface e.g. where it is in a

garden or partly over a path etc, then a sturdy pad must be provided. This

can be:

o Pavers: a minimum of 40 mm thick

o Purpose built concrete slab. A precast slab should be 50 mm or

greater with a thickened edge

o Polyslab® (see accessories on page 21)

• to minimise refrigerant pipe run lengths and bends

• to give minimum pipe runs in accordance with Rinnai Installation

instructions of 2 metres

• where condensate can easily be drained away

• to allow access for service (minimum 300 mm)


Page 19 of 38

• where any blockage (such as from leaves or snow) is quickly seen and

can be cleared away

• to be protected from the salt spray in

coastal areas, sheltered from frost and strong

wind

• where condensation can be appropriately

drained away (see Module 5 – Installation &

Handover) condensation is usually produced

during heating and must be able to be drained

safely

• in a well-ventilated area, and at a safe

distance from any gas sources or appliances:

o 1.5 m clearance from an exchange

LPG bottle (i.e. gas cylinders that

get swapped and refilled offsite).

o 3.5 m clearance from an in-situ fill

LPG bottle (i.e. gas cylinders that

get refilled by tanker onsite)

o 0.5 m clearance from a gas water

heater e.g. Rinnai Infinity or Gas

stored cylinder

o Within space 0.5 m above from any

cylinder valve, extending 1.5 m

laterally at the base of the cylinder.

NOTES:

• DO NOT locate ODU where noise can cause a disturbance to home

occupants or to neighbours

• DO NOT locate ODU in the attic or under a deck, or any location that may

impede airflow, only install where there is ample space and clearance

• DO NOT locate ODU so that multiple units are competing against each

other for air flow

• DO NOT locate where the air outlet is directed to where people pass, such

as across an accessway or path

• DO NOT locate the outdoor unit on a balcony or deck that is more than 1

m above a surface below in a way that facilitates climbing over the

balustrades or railings. Any screen around the outdoor unit must not

facilitate climbing and must not include toe holes.


Page 20 of 38

Avoid noise disturbance

Locate the ODU where noise from the unit cannot transmit to and disturb the

home occupant or adjacent properties. Do not install the outdoor unit under or

close to bedroom windows. Comply with council bylaws regarding permitted

noise levels at the property boundary.

There are several ways to reduce sound transmission:

• Locate the unit where a fence

or solid barrier can block

sound so that the line of sight

between source and receiver

is blocked

• At the same time avoid

reflected sound transmission

– consider the reverberation

effects of lightweight materials

such as corrugated iron

fencing

• When mounting on wall brackets, mount the unit on isolation mounting

blocks or pads to absorb vibration. Rinnai ODU’s are supplied with 4

rubber vibration dampers

• Ensure the owner is aware of the need to carry out regular maintenance to

have worn bearings or other noisy parts replaced.

• Refer to Rinnai mounting instructions for recommended clearances to

ensure airflow around the unit.

Accessories

These 3rd party accessories are available

ODU enclosures

These can be helpful in making the system more aesthetically

appealing. However, they must be design so as not impede the units

performance and cause

any issues which may

initiate a warranty claim to

be considered. If in doubt

contact Rinnai Technical

for more information.

An ODU enclosure


Page 21 of 38

Wall brackets:

Mounting rails

Pad for ODU

The outdoor unit may require a purpose built pad

(see page 18)

An alternative to a concrete slab or pavers is a

Polyslab®

These cost around $45 and there are many NZ suppliers, this is just one:

https://www.hamer.co.nz/inventory/product/1007/polyslab-ac-equipment-bases

Wall brackets for brick / masonry

Wall brackets for timber walls where the horizontal bar can align to studs

Welded wall brackets

Mounting rails

Polyslab®. The middle size is ideal for the ODU

Polyslab® in use

https://www.hamer.co.nz/inventory/product/1007/polyslab-ac-equipment-bases


Page 22 of 38

Indoor units

Locate indoor units:

• on an external wall if possible

• to avoid directing airflow onto seating locations or electronic equipment

• to direct airflow to the coldest point in the room (but not towards a window)

• appropriately for room layout and airflow patterns

• in accordance with Rinnai's recommendations for minimum clearances –

in the diagram on the right. Clearance above the unit and to both sides

are critical.

o 150 mm minimum to ceiling

o 150 mm minimum to each

side

o 1000 mm in front

o The downwards clearance

should be as reasonable as

possible to enable the unit to

function correctly and will be

approximately 1800 mm*.

• to minimise refrigerant pipe run lengths and bends

• so that the condensate drainage pipe can drain to outside without the

need for a condensate pump.

*for ceiling heights of 2.4 m

Use of condensate pumps

Condensate pumps (an example on the right) may be required where the

condensate needs to be lifted from the location of the IDU for any reason.

While it is better to avoid their use due to additional

complexity, they are often required where heat

pumps are mounted on internal walls or in

basements. Including a condensate pump in an

install will increase the cost of the installation.


Page 23 of 38

NOTES:

• DO NOT locate IDU in a tight corner or space where airflow can short

circuit

• DO NOT locate IDU behind a grille

• DO NOT locate IDU so it directs air to a primary source of heat gain or

loss, such as directly on to windows

• DO NOT locate IDU where there may be any steam

• DO NOT locate IDU within a kitchen or near an automatic insect repellent

dispenser

• DO NOT locate IDU above or close to any heat source, including electrical

appliances, which could affect the performance or act as an ignition point.


Page 24 of 38

Appendix A: Consumer FAQ’s

(contributed by Fiona Harris. Rinnai Heat Pump Marketing Specialist)

Q. How do I choose the right heating and cooling solution for my home?

Key considerations include the size of the area you wish to heat or cool, if you want

to heat or cool just one room or your entire home, the local climate, the number of

windows in the area, insulation in the walls and possible location options.

We recommend that you have an Accredited Heat Pump professional do a full

assessment of your home and your comfort requirements to ensure you get the

correct heat pump and sizing for your geographical location and unique

requirements.

Take a look at the ‘How to Choose the Right Heating & Cooling Solution for your

Unique Space’ blog article on the Rinnai NZ website https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/11/how-

to-choose-the-right-heating-and-cooling-solution-for-your-unique-space

Q. What size Heat Pump will I need for my home?

Every home is as individual as its owner in its requirements and choosing the wrong

size Heat Pump for the room you are wanting to heat can leave you cold and cost

you more in power consumption.

Correctly determining the size of equipment for your space is critical and directly

relates to how much heat or cold the unit can produce. An undersized unit will be

ineffective in bringing a room to the desired temperature, while an oversized unit will

turn off and on frequently, causing wear and tear.

Aspects to be considered include – the size of the room you wish to heat; how many

doors and windows it has and how they are situated; is the room insulated - to name

a few.

Because of the technical nature of correct sizing, the key to selecting the right size

Heat Pump for your home is an assessment and discussion of your needs with an

accredited Heat Pump professional.

Q. Will a Heat Pump heat my entire house?

Typically, Heat Pumps are sized and installed to heat a single room or area. To heat

your whole home, you may need several Heat Pumps, or a Ducted Heating &

Cooling System.

For more on Ducted Heat Pump Systems take a look at the “Ducted Heat Pump Air

Conditioning Systems’ blog article on the Rinnai NZ website

https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/13/ducted-heat-pump-air-conditioning-systems

https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/11/how-to-choose-the-right-heating-and-cooling-solution-for-your-unique-space

https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/11/how-to-choose-the-right-heating-and-cooling-solution-for-your-unique-space

https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/13/ducted-heat-pump-air-conditioning-systems


Page 25 of 38

Q. How much does it cost to run a Heat Pump?

Factors such as the energy efficiency of your particular unit, whether it is sized

correctly for the area, your individual energy company rates and how effectively you

use the unit will all be a consideration here.

EECA (The Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority) has identified Heat Pumps as

one of the most energy efficient forms of heating available.

Heat Pumps do not create heat, they simply move available heat from one place to

another. The little energy that is needed is used to run the compressor and fans. A

Heat Pump typically uses 1kW to create 4kW of heat.

The result is around a quarter of the energy needed to that of traditional electric

heaters, saving you money by reducing your power bill. This means the running

costs are roughly one quarter the cost of traditional electric heating and it is one of

the most cost-effective ways of keeping your home warm and dry.

Q. How do I maintain my Heat Pump?

Just like your car, a properly maintained & regularly serviced Heat Pump will perform

better than a neglected one. A Heat Pump with clogged air filters needs to work

harder to provide the same amount of heat as a clean one, and that performance

reduction is reflected in the cost to run and the output – and ultimately in your power

bill.

Home maintenance is simple enough - to ensure good airflow and to keep it

operating at peak efficiency just vacuum the filter from the indoor unit once a month.

Also make sure you keep the area around your outdoor unit clear from any plant

matter, rubbish or debris.

It is also important that you don’t place anything directly on top or around your

outdoor unit that may compromise the airflow and in turn compromise its

performance.

Take a look at the “Maintaining your Heat Pump’ Blog article on the Rinnai NZ

website https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/12/maintaining-your-heat-pump-air-conditioning-

system

Q. How frequently should I have my Heat Pump serviced?

Heat Pump servicing is often overlooked as an integral part of maintaining the

longevity and efficiency of the unit. It is recommended that you have your Heat

Pump professionally serviced every 12 months, ideally before the start of winter, to

ensure your unit is working optimally.

Whilst DIY home maintenance will help keep your unit working effectively and

efficiently, it does not replace the need to have your system professionally serviced

by an accredited Heat Pump Air Conditioning technician.

A professional service will ensure your system will operate smoothly and efficiently

https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/12/maintaining-your-heat-pump-air-conditioning-system

https://rinnai.co.nz/blog/12/maintaining-your-heat-pump-air-conditioning-system


Page 26 of 38

delivering comfort to your home environment whilst extending the life of your

investment. As a guideline, your Heat Pump should be serviced annually.

Q. How environmentally safe are Heat Pumps?

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) recommend Heat Pumps

for heating, because they use significantly less energy to heat your home than any

other type of heating. This reduces both pollution and the release of greenhouse

gases, which makes Heat Pumps better for the environment. Being very energy

efficient also helps to keep your power bill low. Check the model you are buying for

its Energy Star rating.

Q. What are the benefits of a heat pump vs other forms of heating?

A Heat Pump only uses electricity to move rather than generate heat, so it offers a

remarkably high efficiency rate. The Higher COP heat pumps is, the cheaper it is to

run and the long-term savings on a Heat Pump are far greater than any other form of

heating.

With other heating solutions such as wood burners and heaters, the further away you

are form the heat source the less heat warmth and comfort you will feel.

Some of the benefits of installing a heat pump: cost effective heating / controlled

temperature / improved air quality / reduced moisture and condensation / summer

cooling ability / humidity control / environmental benefits

Q. How long does it take to install a Heat Pumps?

Experienced and qualified installers usually take somewhere around 3-4 hours for a

straightforward back-to-back (where the indoor unit and outdoor unit are positioned

directly opposite each other on the interior and exterior of a wall) Heat Pump

installation.

More complex Heat Pump installations will take a bit longer. Ducted systems can

take between one to two days depending on the amount of spaces to be ducted.

Installing a Heat Pump is a complex process requiring qualified trade professionals

so must ALWAYS be undertaken by a reputable accredited installation company.

Q. How important is the Heat Pump installation process?

The sizing, positioning and installation of your Heat Pump are critical to heating and

cooling your home properly. Always choose an accredited expert to install your Heat

Pump as they will do a full assessment of your home and recommend the right

heating and cooling solution for your unique space.

https://www.flocon.co.nz/faqs/#collapse-1-446




Page 27 of 38

Q. Should I keep my Heat Pump running 24 hours a day?

Common sense tells us that no heating appliance should be used 24 hours a day.

Using your heat pump correctly is using it as required.

If you are not home during the day, there is no need to run your heat pump during the

day, adding to your power bills unnecessarily.

If your home has good insulation, a couple of hours in the morning and a few hours in

the evening should suffice.

Q. If I turn the Heat Pump temp up higher, will it heat the room faster?

Turning your Heat Pump up to say 28°C will not make the room warm up any faster.

In fact, it will use more energy as the Heat Pump attempts to absorb energy to

achieve this unrealistic temperature.

If you set the temperature to what you want, say 18-22°C in heating mode (which is a

comfortable temperature during winter), the Heat Pump will respond in the most

efficient way to reach this temperature quickly and maintain it.

You can use the programmable timer or Wi-Fi function to activate the temperature

half an hour before you arrive home, so you return to warm and cosy comfort.

Q. What temperature should I run my Heat Pump at?

We would advise running your Heat Pump somewhere between 18 - 22 degrees on

heating in Winter. If you want to keep it on all night you can drop the temperature

back to around 18 degrees – or use the ‘Sleep Function’ (Q Series feature) to take

care of it for you.

During the summer, you can run your Heat Pump on cooling at around 20 - 22

degrees and if you wanted to run it all night you could increase the temp by a degree

or two.

Q. What is “defrost mode”?

When the temperature drops, Heat Pumps perform a defrost cycle to remove ice

build-up on the outdoor heat exchanger. Ice build-up occurs during the heat process

as the outdoor unit takes the moisture and heat from the air.

The defrost cycle is a necessary part of the Heat Pump’s operation, as the airflow

can be restricted if the heat exchanger is covered in ice, which will subsequently

affect its efficiency. Ice also acts as a thermal insulation barrier on the heat

exchanger preventing heat absorption.

By defrosting the heat exchanger the unit’s efficiency increases. In defrost mode the

Heat Pump will stop heating for short periods of time and it’s important not to turn

your system off when it’s going through this cycle.







https://www.mitsubishi-electric.co.nz/heatpump/faq.aspx#faq-4


Page 28 of 38

Q. Why is my Heat Pump making noises?

A Heat Pump can make a sound like air being exhaled or gurgling when it’s in defrost

mode.

When the temperature drops, Heat Pumps need to perform a ‘defrost cycle’ to

remove ice build-up on the outdoor coils and maintain efficiency.

This can mean your Heat Pump will temporarily stop operating or will blow out cooler

air. It is important not to turn your unit off whilst the defrost cycle is running.

Q. Can a Heat Pump help prevent condensation?

During winter a Heat Pump can help prevent condensation forming on cold surfaces

such as windows by circulating warm air around the room similar to demisting a car

windscreen on a cold morning.

Q. Can I cover and hide my outdoor Heat Pump unit?

The outdoor Heat Pump unit can be covered and hidden to make it less visible using

an approved Heat Pump cover supplier such as Urban

Screens* https://urbanscreens.co.nz/. Just ensure that the correct clearance

distances and air movement requirements are considered and that your Heat Pump

will have the ability to continue to perform to its peak efficiencies.

Q. How long will my Heat Pump last?

Good quality equipment, installed by qualified and accredited installers, can have a

life span of 10 to 15 years. Poor maintenance and environmental factors can cause

premature failure. Regular inspection and maintenance will allow your system to

operate normally for as long as possible.



https://urbanscreens.co.nz/


Page 29 of 38

Q. How long is the Warranty period on a Heat Pump?

The typical warranty period for a new Heat Pump in New Zealand is five years but

Rinnai offer a 6 year warranty when the Heat Pump is installed by a Rinnai

Accredited Installer (5 years for non-accredited installers).

Q. Are heat pumps noisy?

No, most modern Heat Pumps are very quiet. The source of noise in a typical Heat

Pump is the air passing over the grill, as it is blows through the unit. This sound is

usually only marginally higher than ambient room noise.

The Rinnai Q Series range also have a "quiet mode" on all models, which means that

once the room has reached its desired temperature, the sound the unit sets it

operation to the lowest noise output level.

Q. Do Heat Pumps need a drain?

Yes. Whether heating or cooling your home, the outdoor and indoor units will

dehumidify and the resulting water needs to drain away. In some instances, a

condensate pump may be fitted to lift the water into the ceiling space to be drained

out.

Including a condensate pump in an install generally increases the cost of the

installation and on occasion condensate pumps can be heard when they are in

operation.

When set on heating, the outdoor unit will also produce some water, the amount of

which is similar to that of a dehumidifier when in use.

Q. How does a Heat Pump work?

In heating mode, a Heat Pump moves available heat from one place to another (a

much more energy efficient heating technique than traditional heaters which have to

generate the heat energy). The heat exchanger in the outdoor unit obtains warmth

from the air and transfers it inside the building. The cooler room air warms as the

outdoor heat energy is transferred via refrigerant travelling through copper pipework,

over the heat exchanger, into the indoor unit and out into the room.

https://www.fujitsugeneral.co.nz/faq-s#faqnoanchor


Page 30 of 38

In cooling mode, the heat exchanger in the indoor unit is used to absorb the room’s

heat energy using refrigerant. The heat energy is then transferred to the outdoor unit

where that heat exchanger expels it into the outside air.

Defrosting - when the temperature drops, Heat Pumps perform a defrost cycle to

remove ice build-up on the outdoor heat exchanger. Ice build-up occurs during the

heat process as the outdoor unit takes the moisture and heat from the air. The

defrost cycle is a necessary part of the Heat Pump’s operation, as the airflow can be

restricted if the heat exchanger is covered in ice, which will subsequently effect its

efficiency. Ice also acts as a thermal insulation barrier on the heat exchanger

preventing heat absorption. By defrosting the heat exchanger, the unit’s efficiency

increases.


Page 31 of 38

Q. Why does my outdoor unit drip water?

It is quite common for water to drip from the outdoor unit in the winter and from the

indoor unit drain to the outside in the summer. The amount of water produced is

similar to a dehumidifier.

Q. I’ve changed the remote batteries, but the unit still isn’t responding

correctly?

Try changing the batteries in the remote again, as even in a new pack there may be

faulty batteries.

Your remote control will need the batteries changed periodically, when the screen

becomes faint or when it becomes less responsive.

When you do this, the heat pump will revert to its factory settings and will need to be

readjusted. You can avoid this by changing one battery at a time.

Q. Where do I place the inside unit?

Positioning is important. Heat Pumps are like big fan heaters and your installer will

consider the airflow that will be created, along with the need to circulate the warm air.

They will also consider the area that is to be heated so that air can circulate freely

and not be short-circuited.

For example, a unit blowing across a hallway will not be as effective as one blowing

along the length of the hallway. For air to freely circulate, there should be no

obstruction around the unit. The best location for a reverse cycle Hi-Wall Heat Pump

is near ceiling level.

If the location is subject to draughts, the unit’s performance may be affected. We

recommend having a full assessment of your home space done by an accredited

Heat Pump professional to discuss the best options for your home.

Q. Where do I place the outside unit?

A lot of consideration goes into deciding the location of your outdoor heat pump unit.

Installing it in the wrong place could have a big impact on your unit’s performance. It

could also lead to frequent maintenance problems. Aesthetics in this instance need

to be treated with care so you don’t restrict your unit’s capacity.

Keep in mind that heat pumps function best with plenty of air flow. The outdoor unit

needs as much air flow to work with as possible, so disguising the unit with shrubs

and plants could lessen its ability to run at peak performance. What surrounds the

unit and what’s underneath the unit are two crucial aspects to consider prior to

installation.

The location of your unit should be easily accessible for carrying out maintenance on



https://www.mitsubishi-electric.co.nz/heatpump/how.aspx


Page 32 of 38

the compressor, condenser and other devices within the unit. It should also be

sheltered by an eave and elevated about 10 cm off the ground to allow for drainage.

Although shrubs and plants may provide sheltering, they need to be kept at least one

metre from the outdoor unit to allow for shedding of leaves and debris that could end

up in the fins and fan casement.

We recommend having a full assessment of your home space done by an accredited

Heat Pump professional to discuss the best options for your home.

Q. How reliable are Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps are very reliable - as trouble free as a fridge or freezer. However, should

anything ever go wrong, Rinnai offer New Zealand's longest warranty - 6 years -

when you use a Rinnai Accredited Installer.

Q. How do I operate my Heat Pump?

Heat Pumps are operated with an infrared remote that lets you control features such

as On/Off, the temperature, fan speeds, timers, and the mode (such as "heat" and

"cool").

Heat pump remotes also allow you to programme them to turn on when you're away

from home, or overnight, ensuring a warm or cool room on your return, or when you

wake up in the morning!

All Rinnai Heat Pumps have Wi-Fi control as standard so you can control your home

comfort, wherever you are. Your Accredited Installer will take you through pairing

your device to the Heat Pump and all of the Wi-Fi functions at the completion of your

Heat Pump installation.

Can my Heat Pump cool as well?

Yes absolutely. All Heat Pumps in the NZ market are reverse cycle, which means

they will heat in the winter and cool in the summer.





Page 33 of 38

Q. How do I use my remote?


Page 34 of 38

Self-Check #1: Design & Specify

Check your understanding of this module.

# Question Your score

1 A Hi Wall system overspeed’s at lower efficiency, uses more

energy than necessary (increasing running costs) and has more

frequent defrost operations

Has this system been: Oversized Undersized

2 The extra running costs of an undersized heat pump often

outweigh the additional cost of installing a unit that is correctly

sized.

True

False

3 Two tools are available to calculate a home’s kW heating

requirement?

One is Schedule 2 of Residential Tenancies (Healthy Home

Standards) Regulations 2019 and available here:


What is the other tool?

• Rinnai NZ High-Wall Sizing Chart

• Rinnai America South Carolina sizing chart (zone

adjusted)

4 Why is it important to refer to the regional design outdoor

temperature when selecting heat pumps?

Select all that apply:

• Because the heating load increases as the temperature

drops

• Because the heating capacity of a heat pump reduces as

the outdoor temperature drops.

• A unit must be selected that can provide the required

heating capacity at the design heating temperature of the

local region

• The ODU compressor will always over-rev in the defrost

cycle causing an annoying sound for neighbours and the

home owner.



Page 35 of 38


5 One of the effects of an oversized system is too much air movement

(draught) when the unit is running - even at low fan speed.

True

False

6 The description of: the building elements that together enclose all of

the conditioned spaces within the building - consisting of the roof and

all of the walls, ceilings, floors, windows, skylights, and doors that

separate conditioned spaces from spaces within the building that are not

conditioned spaces or from spaces outside the building.

Is a description of:

• A “conditioned” space

• A “non-conditioned” space

• A zone adjusted “Thermal Specification”

• The ‘thermal envelope”

7 The minimum clearances from the sides and to the back of the

ODU are the same value.

True False

8 When locating the indoor unit is this one of the considerations?

“to direct airflow to the coldest point in the room (but not towards a window)”

True False

9 How long does it take to install a typical “back to back” high wall

system?

• 8 hrs

• 4-6 hrs

• 3-4 hrs

• 2 hrs


Page 36 of 38


10 Locating the outdoor unit to minimise the noise is a key part of

having a satisfied customer. What measures can be taken to

avoid noise disturbance from the outdoor unit?

(select all that apply)

1. Locate the unit where a fence or solid barrier can block sound so that the line of sight between the source and receiver is blocked.

2. Avoid reflected sound transmission such as reverberation from lightweight materials such as corrugated iron fencing.

3. Mount the unit on isolation mounting blocks or pads to absorb vibration.

4. Avoid installing on a roof

11 When using the remote control, the louvres on the indoor unit can

be made to swing both up and down, or side to side

True False

12 All Rinnai Split System Heat Pumps have a minimum pipe run

between the indoor and outdoor units of:

• 0.75 m

• 1.5 m

• 2 m

• 2.5 m

13 Legislation requires ODU’s to maintain clearances from gas

cylinders and appliances.

What is the minimum distance between and ODU and an exchange LPG cylinder?

• 0.5 m

• 1 m

• 1.5 m

• 2 m

• 2.85 m


Page 37 of 38


14 All Rinnai Split System Heat Pumps have a 6-year warranty – if installed by a Rinnai authorised dealer. This covers:

• 6 years parts & 5 years labour

• 5 years parts and 6 years labour

• 6 years parts and labour

15 Consider this scenario and specify the Heat Pump.

A new house is located on a cliff overlooking the Tasman sea near New Plymouth. To take in the panoramic views the building has a lot of double-glazed windows. The owners who will live in the house, want a heat pump mainly for heating. Cooling isn’t needed as its windy most months. The area is the lounge, dining and kitchen and is about 80 m2

What size heat pump would you recommend?

5.2 kW 7 kW 8.4 kW

Check your answers……… https://rinnaitraining.co.nz/HP/M3SC1Ans200922.pdf

https://rinnaitraining.co.nz/HP/M3SC1Ans200922.pdf


Page 38 of 38

Module assessment

To fully complete this module, you will need to do the on-line competency assessment.

Completing the assessment is so that you can celebrate your understanding of an

Introduction to Rinnai Heat Pumps.

If you have any questions about accessing the on-line Learning Portal, please call us:

0800 746 624.

Access the final assessment here: https://rinnai.co.nz/TradeSmart/

This assessment should take you about 10 minutes and you will receive your result instantly.

Your next module

Module 5 covers Installation & Handover and in particular:

1. Tools and equipment

2. Installing pipework

3. Installation of the indoor and outdoor units

4. Refrigerants

5. Electrical

6. Testing & Commissioning

7. Customer handover including use and Wi-Fi

Feedback

If you have feedback on this module, we’d like to hear from you. Please email us. Click

here:

Acknowledgement: Rinnai NZ acknowledges the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) for permission to reproduce content from its publication: “Good Practice Guide Heat Pump Installation”. The granting of permission to reproduce material provided by EECA in no way constitutes an endorsement of Rinnai Heat Pumps by EECA

https://rinnai.co.nz/TradeSmart/

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Feedback:%20%20Heat%20Pump%20Module:%20%20Design%20&%20Specifying



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High Wall Heat Pumps Module 3 Design & Specify€¦ · 2. A high standard of advice, specifying and installation of Heat Pumps. To achieve (2) not only do we need a valid and robust